Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Cold Weather Tips for Your Pets

Maryland winters are notoriously erratic. As we saw this
past week, it can be 30 degrees one day and 70 the next. Keeping your pets safe
and comfortable during the winter months can be quite a challenge. Here are a
few tips to help your pets make it through winter.

Keep cats indoors – cats can easily get hurt or
freeze to death in colder temperatures.

Don’t leave your pets in the car unattended.

When you come back inside after an icy and snowy
walk remember to wipe your dog’s paws and stomach thoroughly. Snow can get
trapped in between your dog’s paws and cause the pads to crack and bleed. Rock
salt and other chemicals used to treat roads can make your pets sick if
ingested.

Use only pet-friendly rock salt to melt ice on
your sidewalks and driveway.

Consider buying your dog a coat and set of
boots. Coats are a necessity for short-haired breeds and smaller dogs. Boots
help protect dogs’ feet from ice and snow and provide traction in slippery conditions.

If your dog won’t wear boots (or you think they
are too goofy) try applying a barrier cream to your dog’s paws. The cream only
needs to be applied once a week and helps protect your dog’s paw pads from
chemicals and ice. You can even use Crisco!

Don’t allow your dog to run around off leash in
the snow (except in the dog park). A dog can easily lose their scent and not be
able to find their way home. More dogs are lost in winter than during any other
time of year.

Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep. It
should be off the floor and away from any drafts.

Keep anti-freeze out of pets’ reach and clean up
any spills. Pets enjoy anti-freeze’s sweet taste but even ingesting a small
amount can kill a pet.